Through May, unemployment inched slightly upward in Clatsop, Columbia and Tillamook counties, according to employment statistics from WorkSource Oregon.
The seasonally adjusted figures from WorkSource compare expected employment changes with reality. Although unemployment rates in May were slightly higher than in March, all three counties have significantly lower unemployment rates than the year before.
Clatsop County’s unemployment rate in May was 7.6 percent, slightly higher than the month before but lower than the year before (8.8 percent).
Clatsop County continues to suffer less unemployment than the state, at 8.4 percent, and the United States, at 8.2 percent. Total employment in the county increased by 246 from the previous month to reach 19,465, 375 more than the year before. The estimated number of unemployed people fell by 79 to 1,511, 198 fewer than the year before.
The county added 320 nonfarm payroll jobs in May, 20 more than expected. That left nonfarm payroll employment at 16,880, 290 more than last year.
Food manufacturing added 70 jobs; leisure and hospitality grew by 130 jobs; and transportation, warehousing and utilities added 80. Local governments added 50 jobs, a typical summer increase.
In Columbia County, the unemployment rate of 9.4 percent in May was slightly up from April and lower than the year before (10.3 percent). The county still averages a higher rate than the state and the U.S.
Total employment rose by 120 to 22,670, 452 more than the year before. Total unemployment fell by 47 to 2,260, 173 fewer than the year.
The county added 70 nonfarm payroll jobs, 30 fewer than expected. That left nonfarm payroll employment at 9,610, 60 more than the year before.
Manufacturing cut 40 jobs; but retail trade added 30; and leisure and hospitality grew by 40. State government added 10 jobs.
Many Columbia County residents commute elsewhere for work, making it common for the total number of employed people residing in the county to change without a similar change in the number of payroll jobs located within the county.
Tillamook County’s 8.5 percent unemployment rate in May was slightly up from the previous month, but was lower than the year before (9.1 percent). The county averages similar levels of unemployment as the state and U.S. Total employment in the county rose by 198 from the previous month to 11,884, 58 more positions than the year before. Total unemployment fell by 69 1,003, 78 fewer than the year before.
The county gained 110 nonfarm payroll positions, 40 fewer than expected. That left total nonfarm payroll employment at 8,210, 20 fewer than the year before.
Food manufacturing added 20 jobs; retail trade added 30; leisure and hospitality gained 40; and local governments expanded by 40.
The next release of employment statistics is scheduled for June 23. Unemployment rates for other counties can be found at www.qualityinfo.org/olmisj/AllRates
This story originally appeared in Daily Astorian.
